What should have been the happiest day of their lives ended in a devastating accident as Aric and Samantha Hutchinson traveled from their wedding reception in Folly Beach, South Carolina. A drunk driver struck the golf cart they traveled in, and Samantha died. Since then, over $700,000 has been raised for the widowed husband.
Aric and Samantha Hutchinson were celebrating the biggest night of their lives on April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina. The couple had just tied the knot in front of friends and family and were leaving the wedding reception around 10:00 PM, full of love and hope for the future.
Then, in a second, everything changed. While riding in a golf cart, together with family members Benjamin and Brogan Garrett, a drunk driver struck them. Samantha was tragically killed, while Aric suffered multiple broken bones and severe brain trauma.
The drunk driver was later identified as 25-year-old Jamie Lee Komoroski. The horrifying accident left no one untouched.
In the aftermath, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover Aric’s mounting medical bills and the costs of giving his late wife a proper farewell.
Aric’s mother, Annette Hutchinson, wrote in the description of the GoFundMe, “Hi, my name is Annette Hutchinson. I am the mother of Aric Hutchinson, the groom. Aric lost the love of his life when my new daughter-in-law, Samantha “Sam” Hutchinson, was tragically killed by a drunk driver moments after the picture above while leaving her wedding reception on April 28th in Folly Beach, South Carolina. My son is now in critical condition.”
Anette wrote that the golf cart was struck from behind at 65 mph in a 25 mph zone. The golf cart was thrown more than 100 yards and rolled several times.
Groom’s wife dies in car accident just moments after their wedding reception
Aric remained in serious condition when Annette began the fundraiser. He had undergone one of two reconstructive surgeries, suffered numerous broken bones and a brain injury, and faced a long recovery.
“I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows. Aric has lost the love of his life. This fundraiser will help pay for Sam’s burial and medical costs for Aric and his family,” it further read.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has brought in more than $734,000. Aric Hutchinson miraculously survived the horrific incident that killed the love of his life. Weeks later, the widow broke his silence in an interview with Good Morning America,
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. That night, going from an all-time high to an all-time low, it’s pretty rough to try to comprehend,” Hutchinson said.
“She was so happy. I mean, planning a wedding, as most people know, is extremely stressful. And she just had a weird, like, calmness that night,” he continued, saying that the wedding and reception were one of the best nights of his life.
Widowed husband recalled his late wife’s last words
Aric didn’t recall anything from the crash. However, he did remember the last thing his wife told him.
“I do remember the last thing I remember her saying was she wanted the night to never end,” Hutchinson recalled in the Good Morning America interview
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Jamie Lee Komoroski refused to take a breathalyzer test, claiming she had only consumed one beer and a shot of tequila.
On December 2, 2024, Komoroski, then 27, pleaded guilty to felony DUI, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury or death, and one count of reckless homicide.
Following the hearing, Judge Deadre Jefferson sentenced Komoroski to 25 years in prison for felony DUI resulting in death, 15 years for the two counts involving great bodily injury, and 10 years for reckless homicide.
Drunk driver sentenced to 25 years in prison
However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 25 years behind bars. Speaking after the sentencing, Samantha’s mother, Lisa Miller, made it clear that no prison sentence could bring her daughter back.
“She doesn’t get to come back to life in 10 years or 20 years,” she said, per ABC News 4. “And we don’t get to come back to life in 20 to 25 years. This is a lifetime.”
Komorowski herself also made a statement, saying, “I wish I could go back and undo this terrible tragedy. But I cannot. I will live the rest of my life with intense regret for what happened that night. I pray God stands by the side of my victims and their families and loved ones for the rest of their lives.”
A final settlement was approved on December 9 last year in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hutchinson against Komoroski and several South Carolina bars. Komoroski reportedly bar-hopped before the crash, WCBD reported.
The settlement requires Komoroski’s car insurer to pay Hutchinson $160,000. He will receive $104,586.67, while the rest will go toward attorney fees and other costs. Earlier settlements in the case totaled more than $863,000.
Rest in peace, Samantha. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aric and the rest of their family.
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